Functional Zero Homelessness in Redondo Beach
Homelessness is one of the most difficult challenges facing communities throughout California. While there is no single solution, Redondo Beach has demonstrated that a thoughtful, coordinated, responsive, compassionate, and accountable approach can produce real, measurable results.
In June 2024, Redondo Beach became the first city in Los Angeles County to achieve Functional Zero Street Homelessness, and on October 30, 2024, that milestone was formally recognized by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. Even more importantly, we have maintained that achievement ever since, something no other city in Los Angeles County has accomplished.
That is an extraordinary accomplishment and one that reflects years of innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to helping people while holding ourselves accountable for results.
Functional Zero does not mean homelessness no longer exists. Rather, it means a community has built a system capable of responding quickly enough that more people are exiting homelessness than entering it, while ensuring those who do experience homelessness spend as little time as possible living on the street. In Redondo Beach, the median time someone remains unsheltered has been reduced to just two weeks, far below the national benchmark used to define Functional Zero.
This success did not happen by chance.
Several years ago, Redondo Beach recognized that simply reacting to homelessness was not enough. We built our Enhanced Response to Homelessness Program, led by the City Attorney's Office in partnership with our Police Department, outreach teams, service providers, and housing partners. Rather than operating separate programs tied to individual funding sources, we created one coordinated system focused on helping people quickly, efficiently, and compassionately.
While the City invests some General Fund resources to address this important quality of life issue, we have intentionally braided together federal, state, county, and regional funding including Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention funding (HHAP), Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF), Project Homekey, CalVIP, and other regional partnerships to maximize every public dollar. This braided funding approach allows us to respond to individual needs in real time while maintaining strong accountability for how public funds are invested and the outcomes they produce.
Our Enhanced Response includes:
Outreach and housing navigation that builds relationships and connects individuals with the services they need.
Coordinated case management that addresses mental health, substance use, employment, identification, and housing barriers.
Outdoor Homeless Court, helping participants resolve minor legal issues while preparing them for permanent housing.
Interim shelter through our Pallet Shelter Program.
Permanent supportive housing through Project Homekey.
Mental health services through partnerships with the Department of Mental Health and Health Net.
What truly sets Redondo Beach apart is not simply the services we provide, but how we deliver them. We know who is on our streets. We coordinate across agencies. We regularly review cases, measure outcomes, and adjust our response based on data rather than assumptions. That responsiveness has enabled us not only to achieve Functional Zero, but to sustain it.
This is a significant milestone not just for Redondo Beach, but for all of Los Angeles County. While many communities continue searching for more effective solutions, Redondo Beach has demonstrated that a locally driven, collaborative, and accountable approach can make a measurable difference.
